Musings Post The Storm

Tropical Storm Debby made for a hectic and stressful week. Having experienced a number of these storms, it produces a range of emotions. You are anxious as the storm approaches, relieved that the worst of the storm missed you, but feel terrible for those that were not spared the same fate. Unfortunately it has already been an extremely wet Florida summer. Definitely sick of rain, heat, and humidity, but sadly a few months more before relief and the end of hurricane season. I believe I have developed reverse seasonal affective disorder. January in the Midwest vs. August in Florida. Not sure which is worse. This reminds me of the funny graphic below. Florida in August is definitely air made of hot soup + hurricane terror area!

As I mentioned in a previous article (see Luck), I remain curious about the nexus of what is under our control and what isn't in our lives (particularly at work). Can we think and behave in a way that helps us better take advantage of life's unexpected twists and turns? To learn more, I read the book The Serendipity Mindset: The Art and Science of Creating Good Luck by Christian Busch, Ph.D.? The premise of this book is how to optimize?“smart luck” (as opposed to relying on random chance or “dumb luck”) and to seize opportunities through curiosity, preparation, and hard work.??I thought this quote summarized the concept of the serendipity mindset well:

• Serendipity is about the ability to recognize and leverage the value in unexpected encounters and information.? Thus, it can be learned and facilitated at every step.? We can develop a serendipity mindset – the capacity to identify, grasp, and wield this powerful force. While a particular chance encounter is an event, serendipity is a process.? Surprise and chance are important – but only as a first step.? The essential second step comes from being able to understand and leverage the unexpected observation.? We need to see links or bridges where others see gaps… being able to filter and see the value – and the tenacity to see it through.??

The thought that we can develop a mindset that makes us an agent of our own luck, rather than a passive recipient is encouraging.? I find it analogous to the well-known, popular equation that states:

• Event + Response = Outcome

Events happen in life and at work. We rarely control them. But we do control how we respond to them. If the event is held constant, the outcome is determined by our response. This book helps to cultivate the hope that through preparation and being open to new possibilities, we can unlock unexpected opportunities when we least expect them (for another great read on this topic, try Unleashed by Rick and Amy Simmons). How do we see challenges as opportunities for change and growth? How do we open ourselves up to the possibilities of something new and unexpected? I think if we are honest, these are difficult questions to answer. They require us to be thoughtful in our responses to earn a more positive and optimistic outcome. I suspect that this thoughtfulness must be earned from the wisdom that can only come from our responses to past events that were not as enlightened or opportunistic in the moment as we hoped. Similar to awe (see Awe) and nostalgia (see Nostalgia), maybe a serendipity mindset works best by getting us in touch with what matters most. Our priorities. Paying attention. Showing up for those we love and support. This quote near the end of the book was just what I needed after a busy and hectic week:

• Serendipity can be a profound source of joy and wonder, of those magical moments that make life meaningful and interesting.? It can be a key part of our journey, of living a fulfilled and successful life.? In short, it can give us back an enthusiasm for life – it can turn the unexpected from potential threat into a source of delight.? If a good life is an accumulation of good days, serendipity can fill our days with joy and meaning.

The idea that we can make our own luck through preparation, hard work, and seizing the moment is something we have heard before. I am reminded of Ryan Holiday's classic, The Obstacle Is The Way. In it, he states:

• The great law of nature is that it never stops. There is no end. Just when you think you've successfully navigated one obstacle, another emerges. But that's what keeps life interesting. And as you're starting to see, that's what creates opportunities... Elysium is a myth. One does not overcome an obstacle to enter the land of no obstacles. On the contrary, the more you accomplish, the more things will stand in your way. There are always more obstacles, bigger challenges... Passing one obstacle simply says you're worthy of more. The world seems to keep throwing them at you once it knows you can take it.

Our weeks in leadership are full of challenging obstacles. Some weeks it seems like they just keep coming. But these challenges can also liberate wonderful, serendipitous opportunities. I love the last two sentences above, and re-reading them this week was an important reminder and something I needed. Our perspective matters!

Finally, the school year is about to start in the Moseley household. Schedules will change. Sleep will be disturbed. Learning will occur. Growth will happen. It will all work out in time (largely due to the organizational brilliance of my wife), but it will be a bit painful in the transition. One thing I have taken to doing is trying to share in a bit of that pain with my children. Last year, I studied AP Art History with my daughter. This year it will be AP Biology. The former was a very heavy lift with a subject I had never studied before. Hoping the latter will be easier because I will be resurrecting dead knowledge. We shall see. Thank goodness for Khan Academy and Barron's review books! I will be on the lookout for something to study with my son (other than Xbox and Roblox). The entire family took up Duolingo this summer to try to learn a new language. This all takes time, effort, and attention. And perhaps that's part of the secret to letting people know you love them; by simply paying attention and making the time you spend with them a priority. As I head back to school with the family, these posts will become less frequent. I hope you will understand and appreciate my priorities...